Nara Marathon 2026

The Nara Marathon, held in mid-December in Nara, Japan, offers a full 42.195 km marathon, a 10 km race, and a relay. It is a Boston Marathon qualifier and a World Marathon Majors qualifier. This makes it suitable for runners aiming for a specific time or those preferring a shorter race in one of Japan’s historic capitals. The race route utilizes roads within Nara Prefecture, combining urban running with natural scenery, a fitting choice for the region. Upon completion, participants are situated near Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park with its freely roaming deer, and offer opportunities for excursions to Mount Yoshino, Uji for tea, or Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park.